How Do I Pursue IGNOU Distance Diploma Programmes? Admission, Eligibility and Fee

Updated 29 October 2026 Programmes 11 min read

Part of IGNOU Programmes: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees

IGNOU diploma admission for the 2026 academic year is conducted online through the official IGNOU Samarth portal. Candidates applying for distance diploma and post graduate diploma programmes must submit their application forms, required educational documents, and fees online.

Update

30 Oct 2026IGNOU Releases December 2026 TEE Date Sheet for e-Vidya Bharti Programmes
Indira Gandhi National Open University released the tentative December 2026 Term-End Examination datesheet for e-Vidya Bharati online programmes like BCAOL and MBAOL. Online exams run from 15 December 2026 to 11 January 2027 in two daily shifts. Theory fees are Rs 200 per course, and practical fees are Rs 300 or Rs 500. Students filling the term-end exam portal must create a mandatory Academic Bank of Credit ID and download hall tickets from the E-VidyaBharati TEE hall ticket portal. Full details
23 Oct 2026IGNOU RC Chandigarh Campus Placement Drive Scheduled for 27 October 2026
22 Oct 2026IGNOU Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme Phase II Admissions Announced for 2026
19 Oct 2026IGNOU releases Common Prospectus for student admissions
IGNOU has published its official Admission Information Bulletin and Common Prospectus for student admissions. These essential documents, providing comprehensive details for prospective students, are now available. Students can access the Admission Information Bulletin and Common Prospectus directly on the admission portal to review all relevant information.

IGNOU official site last checked: 31 Oct 2026, 8:31 PM IST

Indira Gandhi National Open University, also known as IGNOU, offers multiple distance learning Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma programmes for the 2026 academic sessions. These distance programmes cover diverse academic fields including agriculture, health sciences, computer applications, management, and humanities. Students pursuing these courses must complete continuous assessment assignments and term-end examinations through designated study centres and the IGNOU Samarth portal.

IGNOU Diploma courses offered: full list of PG Diploma and Diploma options for 2026 session

IGNOU offers various Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma programmes in distance mode across fields like health management, agriculture, translation, statistics, and education. Candidates can enrol in these programmes during the July 2025 and January 2026 academic sessions.

IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma Programmes

Programme Name	Programme Code
Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Health Management	PGDHHM
Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood and Family Education	PGDECFE
Post Graduate Diploma in Translation	PGDT
Post Graduate Diploma in Sindhi-Hindi-Sindhi Translation	PGDSHST
Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Operations	PGDIBO
Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics	PGDAST
Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development	PGDESD
Post Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry	PGDAC
Post Graduate Diploma in Geoinformatics	PGDGI
Post Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking	PGDLAN
Post Graduate Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies	PGDGPS
Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management	PGDDRRM
Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology	PGDRPC
Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education	PGDHE
Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Technology	PGDET
Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership and Management	PGDSLM
Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Administration	PGDEMA
Post Graduate Diploma in Pre Primary Education	PGDPPED
Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Planning and Development	PGDUPDL
Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies	PGDDVS
Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare	PGDAW
Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility	PGDCSR
Post Graduate Diploma in Population and Family Health Studies	PGDPFHS
Post Graduate Diploma in Tribal Studies	PGDTRBS
Post Graduate Diploma in Sanskrit Sahitya mein Vigyan	PGSKT
Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education	DNHE
Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education	DECE
Diploma in Women’s Empowerment and Development	DWED
Diploma in Tourism Studies	DTS
Diploma in Creative Writing in English	DCE

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU PhD Information Brochure July 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU PhD Information Brochure July 2026 (2026).

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 (2026).

IGNOU Diploma eligibility criteria: academic qualification rules and duration relaxation

IGNOU requires candidates seeking admission to PG Diploma programmes to hold a recognized bachelor degree or equivalent qualification. For learners with benchmark disabilities of 40% or more, IGNOU grants an additional 2 years beyond the standard maximum programme duration.

Bachelor degrees completed before June 4, 1986 are valid for admission regardless of course duration.
Master’s degrees obtained without a prior three-year bachelor degree are invalid for IGNOU admission, except 5-year integrated degrees.
Degrees from off-campus private university study centres outside state jurisdiction are invalid without specific UGC approval.
Candidates with disability of 40% or more receive 2 additional years to complete their diploma programme.

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Assistant Professor Eligibility Criteria 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU Assistant Professor Eligibility Criteria 2026 (2026).

Location of Indira Gandhi National Open University headquarters.

IGNOU Diploma fee structure: admission registration, project evaluation and course change fees

IGNOU charges a non-refundable registration fee along with the programme fee during admission for all diploma courses. Additional practical exam fees and project evaluation fees apply from the January 2023 admission cycle onwards.

IGNOU Fee Structure and Additional Charges

Fee Component	Amount / Policy Rule
Registration Fee	Non-refundable, charged at initial admission
Practical Examination Fee	Applicable per practical course from January 2023
Project Evaluation Fee	Applicable per project course from January 2023
PG Course Change Fee (2/4 Credits)	Rs. 600 per course
PG Course Change Fee (6/8 Credits)	Rs. 1200 per course
UG Course Change Fee (2/4 Credits)	Rs. 350 per course
UG Course Change Fee (6/8 Credits)	Rs. 700 per course

IGNOU IGNOU Diploma fee structure: admission registration, project evaluation and course change fees (₹) chart — IGNOU Diploma fee structure: admission registration, project evaluation and course change fees (₹).

IGNOU student services

IGNOU Diploma assignment submission dates: July 2025 and January 2026 session deadlines

IGNOU requires diploma students to submit handwritten Tutor Marked Assignments at their designated study centres before appearing for term-end exams. For the January 2026 session, students must submit assignment responses by 31 October 2026.

IGNOU Assignment Deadlines by Session

Academic Session	Assignment Submission Deadline
July 2025 Session	30 April 2026
January 2026 Session	31 October 2026

IGNOU official portal: Assignments — Assignments page on the official IGNOU website.

IGNOU Diploma assignment guidelines: response page layout and submission rules

IGNOU requires students to submit handwritten assignments on foolscap or A4 size paper to their Programme Study Centre coordinator. Assignments carry 25% or 30% weightage towards the final evaluation and are compulsory for term-end exam eligibility.

Candidate Roll Number or Enrolment Number, Name, and Address must be written on the top right corner of the first page.
Course Code, Course Title, Assignment Code, Study Centre Name, and Submission Date must be written on the left side of the first page.
Responses must be strictly handwritten; typed or printed copies of assignments are not accepted.
Each assignment must be answered on separate sheets and tied securely after numbering all pages.
Students must retain a xerox copy of their submitted assignment responses for future reference.

IGNOU Diploma application process: online registration steps on Samarth portal

Candidates can apply online for IGNOU distance diploma and post graduate diploma programmes using the official Samarth admission portal. Applicants must complete registration, fill details, upload documents, and pay the required programme fee online.

Open the official IGNOU admissions portal and click on the distance programme registration link.
Register on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal by creating a unique username and password.
Log in to the account and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and diploma programme choices.
Select the preferred Regional Centre and Learner Support Centre for administrative and academic support.
Upload scanned copies of required educational certificates, photograph, and signature in prescribed formats.
Pay the non-refundable registration fee and programme fee online using credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Submit the application form online and print a copy of the receipt and completed form for future record.

A multi-storey concrete building featuring the IGNOU Regional Centre signboard and promotional posters. — The Indira Gandhi National Open University Regional Centre building located at Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Kashmir.

IGNOU Diploma admission documents: verification list for online application

Candidates applying for IGNOU diploma programmes must upload scanned copies of original educational documents on the Samarth portal. Submitted certificates must be authentic, as submission of forged documents leads to admission cancellation and legal action.

Scanned copy of Class 10 mark sheet and passing certificate for age proof.
Scanned copy of Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate.
Scanned copy of Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate for PG Diploma programmes.
Category certificate for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), EWS, or Kashmiri Migrant quota reservation.
Disability certificate issued by competent authority for candidates claiming PwD reservation (40% or more).
Scanned photograph and signature of the applicant in prescribed image dimensions.

IGNOU Diploma address change process: correction proforma and regional centre submission

IGNOU students requiring address corrections must submit the prescribed proforma to their concerned Regional Director. Requests sent directly to the Student Registration Division at Maidan Garhi or other university offices are not entertained.

Obtain the printed proforma for change of address from the Programme Guide or download it from the IGNOU website.
Fill in the enrolment number, student name, old address, and corrected new address accurately on the proforma.
Submit the completed address change form directly to the concerned IGNOU Regional Centre office.
Allow 4 to 6 weeks for the Regional Director to process and transmit the updated database to the Student Registration Division.

Brick buildings behind a decorative fence on the IGNOU campus. — Buildings on the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) campus in New Delhi.

Where to go on the IGNOU site

Register on the Samarth admission portalsamarth.edu.in ↗
Access official IGNOU admissions pageignou.ac.in ↗
Log in to IGNOU Student Portalignou.samarth.edu.in ↗
Submit student grievances onlineigram.ignou.ac.in ↗
Download P.G. Diploma assignmentswebservices.ignou.ac.in ↗
Download Diploma assignmentswebservices.ignou.ac.in ↗

Key facts

University Name: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Programme Types: Diploma & Post Graduate Diploma
Assignment Weightage: 25% to 30%
Credit System Equivalent: 1 Credit = 30 Study Hours
Admission Portal: IGNOU Samarth Portal
Assignment Deadline (Jan 2026): 31 October 2026

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

IGNOU BEd Programme Prospectus 2025 PDF — IGNOU B.Ed and general academic prospectus details
IGNOU PGSKT Course MSK 021 Assignment July 2025 January 2026 PDF — Assignment instructions for MSK-021 Sanskrit PG Diploma

Common IGNOU Questions

What is the assignment submission deadline for IGNOU PG Diploma programmes for the January 2026 session?

Candidates enrolled in IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma programmes like PGSKT for the January 2026 session must submit assignments by 31 October 2026. This submission serves as a mandatory prerequisite for appearing in theory term-end examinations. For the July 2025 academic session, the assignment submission deadline was 30 April 2026. Learners must hand over handwritten response sheets to their LSC coordinator, or log into the iGram portal to resolve submission failures.

What are the rules regarding degrees obtained prior to June 4, 1986 for IGNOU admission?

IGNOU treats first-degree qualifications completed prior to June 4, 1986 as equivalent to standard three-year bachelor degrees for admission. This rule applies to all candidates enrolled up to June 1986 who completed their qualifications subsequently. Eligible learners do not need a one-year bridge course when applying for PG Diploma programmes. Applicants must upload clear scanned degree certificates on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal, or raise a ticket on iGram if processing fails.

Are degrees from private university off-campus centres recognized by IGNOU?

IGNOU does not recognize degrees acquired from off-campus centres of private universities located outside their territorial state jurisdiction. Such qualifications are valid for diploma admission only if they possess specific approval from the University Grants Commission. Candidates must upload valid UGC approval proofs during online registration on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. If an incomplete application is summarily rejected without intimation, applicants must re-verify documents and submit a query via the iGram portal.

How much additional time do learners with disabilities get for IGNOU diploma programmes?

IGNOU grants candidates with benchmark disabilities of 40% or more an extra 2 years beyond the standard maximum duration prescribed for diploma programmes. This relaxation applies to all academic diploma courses across admission cycles, including the January 2026 session. Eligible candidates must upload a valid self-attested disability certificate on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal during registration. If duration relaxation is not reflected in student records, learners should approach their Regional Director or report on iGram.

What is the fee for changing an elective course in IGNOU Post Graduate programmes?

IGNOU charges Rs. 600 per course for changing a 2 or 4 credit elective course in Post Graduate programmes. For a 6 or 8 credit course, the elective change fee is Rs. 1200. Requests for course changes must be submitted to the concerned Regional Centre within 30 days of receiving study material.

Where should IGNOU diploma students submit their address change requests?

IGNOU diploma students must submit address change requests using the printed proforma directly to their concerned Regional Director. Requests sent directly to the Student Registration Division at Maidan Garhi or other university offices are not entertained. Address updates usually take 4 to 6 weeks to reflect in the official university database. Learners should check their updated address on the Samarth student portal, and contact their Regional Centre or raise an iGram query if updates fail.

What format and paper rules must students follow for IGNOU diploma assignment submissions?

IGNOU requires all continuous evaluation assignment responses to be strictly handwritten on foolscap or A4 size paper. Typed or printed copies of assignments are not accepted under any circumstances. Submission of these handwritten assignments carries 25% to 30% weightage toward final evaluation and is mandatory before appearing in theory term-end examinations. Students must submit filled sheets to their Learner Support Centre coordinator, or report evaluation issues on the iGram portal.

What details must be included on the first page of an IGNOU diploma assignment?

IGNOU requires learners to list specific identification details on the first page of every assignment response sheet. The top right corner must display the student’s Enrolment Number, Name, and Full Address. The left side must state the Course Code, Course Title, Assignment Code, Study Centre Name, and Submission Date. Students must submit separate sheets to their Study Centre coordinator and keep a xerox copy for future reference.

Is a Master’s degree awarded without a three-year bachelor degree valid for IGNOU admission?

Master’s degrees awarded without a prior three-year bachelor’s degree are not recognized for admission to IGNOU diploma programmes. However, this restriction does not apply to candidates holding a recognized five-year integrated Master’s degree from a recognized university. Applicants must upload clear mark sheets and degree certificates on the official IGNOU Samarth portal during online application. If an application is rejected due to invalid degree proofs, candidates must submit a clarification via iGram.

How are practical examination and project evaluation fees paid for IGNOU diploma programmes?

IGNOU charges practical examination fees and project evaluation fees online when students fill out their term-end examination form. Applicable across all academic programmes since the January 2023 admission cycle, these fees depend on course project slabs. Learners must pay the required fee on the exam portal and retain the online payment receipt for submission during practical exams or project submission. If payment fails, students should retry on Samarth or contact their Regional Centre.

How does the IGNOU credit system define student study hours for distance diploma courses?

IGNOU defines one credit as equivalent to 30 hours of total student study effort across all learning activities. Under this system, a standard 4-credit diploma course involves 120 hours of study, including reading materials, listening to audio, watching videos, and writing assignments. Learners complete these credit requirements through continuous assignment evaluation and term-end examinations for each course. Students accessing course material on eGyanKosh or experiencing portal issues can raise queries through the iGram portal.